In the final chapter of The House at Pooh Corner' Christopher Robin and Pooh are talking about what they like doing best. "What I like doing best," said Christopher Robin, "Is nothing".

"How do you do nothing?" asked Pooh. "It just means going along, listening to all the things you can't hear and not bothering."

A clergyman went to lead an assembly at a large local comprehensive school. He had done this often before, but this time he'd had little chance to prepare what to say. It was the beginning of Lent.

After talking briefly about the constant busyness and noise in our world, he picked up a chair, put it centre stage and sat on it in silence, without moving, for about a minute.

When he stood up, the packed hall broke into spontaneous applause (not their usual response!). He then suggested that during Lent they might take time to sit still, to listen to what was deep within and beyond themselves, to "listen to the things you can't hear". That it made a deep impression was shown by the number of parents who asked him about it afterwards.

So why is it important to take time to sit still? It reminds us that life is about being, as well as doing; that being busy all the time is not really what we're about.

It can recreate and renew us, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It gives space to hear what is really going on deep within us; it gives us the chance to listen to the things we can't hear; it gives space for God to speak.

Is this what the psalmist means when he wrote: "Be still - pause a while - and you will know that I am God?" Let's give ourselves, and God, some quiet space this Lent.